The Worshipping Heart Is a Thankful Heart.

God is a God of second chances for those who have been redeemed. Though they fall, believers are always welcome back to fellowship with God and ministry service. Psalm 146 rehearses many truths to make sure we walk with God faithfully.

God is unchanged. We discussed this truth last week.

God can be proven. (verses 3-7)

The psalmist discusses the finite nature and purpose of man to show that we cannot put our trust in people or human ideas. We fail when we focus on others. We must not use our own failure or others' as an excuse for not walking with God.

The doctrine of salvation gives us hope when we are discouraged and falling into sin. Verse 5 describes a positional truth: those who trust in the Lord are blessed, happy or advantaged. The name "the God of Jacob" reminds us of Jacob's testimony: he was known as a deceiver until the Lord transformed his character. Remember who you were before being born again. What power it took to change your character! The God of Creation delights to miraculously transform souls.

The psalm naturally progresses from positional help to practical hope. Those who have been positionally saved are then dispositionally different in their thinking and living. We are not living for this life but in light of our eternal future.

The same strength shown in Creation saves and keeps us. What God starts, He maintains. Remember that God chose you and is continually beautifying you in Christ's image.

Verses 6-7 list acts of God's mercy. Israel knew that their captivity and release were all God's plan and His doing. Mercy is judgement that we deserve being withheld.

Verse 8 highlights God's compassion. One author said, "God's wisdom and power are never divorced from His compassion and love." As immense as God is, He is equally kind and tender toward His people.

Verses 8-9 celebrate God's kindness. He demonstrates this to the righteous. In the Jewish community, strangers were welcome to join who were willing to adopt the Mosaic law and faith. Both testaments show that God loves the fatherless and the widow.

God will reign. (verse 10)

The psalmist concludes by anticipating the future. God's people have returned to Him personally and corporately. Worship has been restored and the people are unified. In this setting, God's will can be done.

Application Points

A song expresses the reality of the heart. God's people are already meditating on these truths when their hearts overflow in song. Make them personal: God is this detailed in His power and care for you!

• Only those who are saved can personally experience the truths above. Have you ever understood your sin, turned to Jesus Christ, and been changed in your character?
• Though they fall, believers are always welcome back to fellowship with God and ministry service. It's never too late to do right!
• Never let success or failure, whether your own or another's, determine the quality of your walk with God. Walk as consistently as you can, because He is consistent and faithful to you.
• Someone who remembers that they have been forgiven does not guilt-trip others.

Tools for Further Study

A Hymn to Encourage: "All People That on Earth Do Dwell"

All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice.

Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His folk, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.

O enter then His gates with praise;
Approach with joy His courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless His name always,
For it is seemly so to do.

For why! The Lord our God is good;
His mercy is forever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.

Quotes to Ponder

"The final settling of man's moral accounts is not always settled in the history books, but the fact remains true since the fall of man into sin that God always wins. Truth will ultimately triumph over error, peace over war, kindness over violence, justice over crime, peace over oppression, and righteousness over all wickedness."

— John Phillips

"Sometimes we just have to learn to trust Him where we cannot trace Him."